The French manage to strike a perfect balance between curated and effortless, a casual nonchalance that translates across their wardrobe and into their beauty routine. Unsurprisingly, many find this insouciance captivating—especially when it comes to their approach to health, wellness, and life in general. In an effort to peel the curtain back on a few of these life hacks, Mindbodygreen recently spoke with Delphine Lamandé-Frearson, a Parisian journalist, and Mathilde Thomas, author of The French Beauty Solution.

Here's what they had to say about the French approach to eating, drinking, and taking care of their bodies:

Eating

According to Thomas, the French generally follow a version of the Mediterranean diet, which consists of "fresh vegetables and fruit, whole grains, nuts, legumes, olive, oil, and fish." The magic food they can't get enough of? Zucchini, which is a staple in the classic French dish ratatouille. The vegetable is rich in "skin-beautifying" vitamin A, folate, potassium, copper, and phosphorus. "Eating well is cultural, and we tend to respect the palm-sized portion rule when eating, don't skip meals, and don't snack much," adds Lamandé-Frearson.

Drinking

"French girls drink magnesium-rich mineral water like Contrex to flush out toxins and spend more time hydrating and nourishing skin than putting on makeup," explains Lamandé-Frearson. When it comes to curbing cravings, she relies on hot herbal tea. "It gives a minute to think before snacking mindlessly," she adds. However, their underlying focus is on balance; they don't suppress or deny their cravings.

Beautifying

"We don't disconnect the body and mind, and looking good is very much a part of feeling good for the French," explains Lamandé-Frearson. Doing so includes regular trips to the spa or the Turkish hammam. "When we steam, we always scrub our bodies with a mineral black soap to get rid of dead skin cells and boost circulation."